Memoryscape Reading

As I read through the first half of the reading, I found myself becoming increasingly aware of the noises around me (particularly those traveling into my room from my window). The sound of construction, cars, buses, people, airplanes filled my space. It is strange to notice them after your mind has stopped actively taking notice.

I really liked the second half of the article, which spoke of oral tradition and this idea of the "audio trail." The idea of the Memoryscape intrigued me--creating audio that incorporates the sounds of daily life in particular areas accompanied by local voices and stories. These audio trails mimic the audio tours set up within museums, but they take groups of people through a real place. Everyday life and sounds become art. The audio walks influence the way people experience the sites. In this sense the concept that people know the world through the places they experience becomes really powerful to me--almost romantic. This type of sound art is ones I think I would really appreciate if I experienced it myself.